The Levelland City Council held a regular meeting Monday with the group approving the second reading dealing with the 27 proposed propositions by the Charter Review Committee.
Director of Finance, Cynthia Sanchez kicked off the agenda with a presentation of the quarterly report for the Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) (October 1, 2024 - Dec. 31, 2024) Total cash investments started at roughly $37.5 million at the beginning of this quarter have increased by 5.56% to roughly $39.5 million. Of that total, $36.4 million were investments and $3.18 million was cash totals.
Total revenues for the General Fund totaled approximately $1.89 million, which was roughly 19% of the projected revenues for FY25. Total revenues for the Cemetery Fund was $94,493.31, which is roughly 22% of the projected revenue for FY25.
Total revenues for the Enterprise Fund was roughly $622,046.97, which is roughly 8% of the projected revenues of FY25.
City Attorney, Elza Slater spoke to the Council regarding the proposed propositions crafted by the Charter Review Committee. Slater shared that all 27 proposed propositions are positive and there was not a single one that left him feeling good or right.
“Every one of these (propositions) makes your community better,” said Slater. “I think they increase the checks and balances. One of the things that we have done is not redefine, but make sure our Charter is in accordance with our councilmanager form of government so that ultimate power stays here, day-to-day operations stay with your administration and city manager. I think that is done very well here.”
Slater added that if the desire is to continue being a first-rate city, the Charter should also follow state law.
“It looks weird when you look at the Charter and it says one thing and state law says another,” explained Slater. “I have also seen it when it causes significant confusion with citizens. This will go a long way of making things consistent.”
Slater recommended the approval of the second reading and encourages any community member within the city to reach out to city hall if they have any questions regarding any of the propositions. Slater was pleased with how well the communication with the community has been since the Charter Review Committee was formed and hopes to continue that.
The Council approved the second reading unanimously. The Council thanked Slater and the committee for their time working on the proposed propositions.
City Manager, James Fisher recommended the authorization and ratification on the purchase of computers, laptops, serves and other IT related equipment utilizing ARPA funds per Resolution 2024-10.
Fisher explained that the Levelland Police Department was requesting to replace all iPads within the department with laptops. The cost of the items was approximately $70,000.
City staff authorized the items to be purchased due to the deliver time; therefore, staff was requesting ratification by the Council for the purchase.
Additionally, computers (laptops and desktops) for dispatch, police, water and administration were requested in the amount of roughly $68,000.
Fisher explained that officers patrolling are having to return to the Law Enforcement Center to write reports as they cannot be done on the laptops. With the switch to laptops or mobile data terminals (MDTs), the patrolling officers can remain on the streets and produce reports.
Slater added that the item was simply a formalization of a commitment that was made last calender year. The item is simply creating a paper trail to show the purchase is happening.
Fisher added that he has reached out to various surrounding schools to see if there was any interest in the iPads. The plan will be for BlueLayer to pick up the used tech for potential nonprofit use.
The Council approved the item with none opposed.
The Council also considered awarding a bid for a tractor with mower deck for the wastewater department. Fisher explained that the 2024-2025 Budget adopted by the Council included a new utility tractor with a 72' mower deck in the Wastewater Department in the amount of $55,000.
Staff requested purchasing cooperative quotes from all the known vendors that sell utility tractors similar in specs to the equipment currently in operation. Each quote obtained through the cooperative was competitively bid prior to receiveing the contract.
One quote received was through John Deere and utilized the Purchasing Coop of Sourcewell. The second quote was received from Terry County Tractor for Kubota utilizing the Purchasing Coop Buyboard.
The recommendation was to go with Terry County Trator for Kubota in the amount of $47,940.60 because of the familiarity and the current accessory that the City has. The John Deere quote was $60,308.62.
Following the presentation, Fisher addressed the recent concerns of purchasing of items through the buyboard.
Fisher said the buyboard is a state cooperative purchasing program along with several different pieces that play a part. He added that the beauty of it is the specs, bids and all of that is already done.
“Government entities throughout the state, not just city’s but also schools utilize uses that purchasing power to get the best price,” explained Fisher. “When we are purchasing, we try to look here and see if it is provided here. Then we start looking at the cooperative system before we go out for bids because they are expensive and take time.”
Slater added that if the city is not advantage of coop’s at every opportunity is an issue.
“They are out there, available and legal,” said Slater. “We have more and more people and vendors who are participating. It is an absolute gem of a tool.”
Mayor Breann Buxkemper asked if there were any EDC opportunities to help local businesses possibly join buyboards or if putting together a seminar would be possible.
Fisher explained that research would have to be done for those answers, but added they would look into further.
Returning back to the item, the Council unanimously approved the purchase.
Fisher provided a storm update which included the current repairs of hail damaged vehicles. LPD vehicles have been repaired with public works and building inspection vehicles being worked on now.
The totaled vehicles will be decommissioned soon over the next couple of weeks.
The city is still working with FEMA while also dealing with insurance. Fisher added that the big question is the fire department roof with some estimates sitting around $700,000.
Fisher says conversations are still ongoing and hopes to get the item resolved.